From The Ridge - The McCallie Blog

As the McCallie community pauses to give thanks and spend time with family and friends this Thanksgiving, our students also understand the importance of giving back to those who are in need of kindness and generosity at this time of year.

Students in the Middle and Upper schools have been raising money and gathering food for turkey dinners for 75 needy families served by the local Salvation Army.

Kim George — mother of McCallie senior Chris George — helps coordinate the annual partnership between McCallie and the Salvation Army, creating a tradition that allows students to help others in the days leading up to Thanksgiving Break.

"I love that community service is a part of the McCallie educational experience and the students serve beyond their campus," said Mrs. George, who also serves as Marketing Director of The Salvation Army. "This teaches our younger generation so much more than what can be learned in the classrooms and we are so grateful McCallie is joining us in 'doing the most good.’"

Upper School students, with the encouragement of their advisors and Dean of Student Life Bob Bires, raised money with the help of the National Honor Society to purchase turkeys, and Middle School students provide side dishes such as potatoes, cranberries and bread to round out a perfect Thanksgiving feast.

On Friday, Nov. 17, members of the McCallie Middle Men eighth-grade leadership organization and Upper School students from Sean McCourt’s history class helped load the food for 75 families into a Salvation Army truck. The food was taken to the Salvation Army offices where it was packaged and sent to families in need of food and joy during this special time of year.

The Salvation Army’s Social Services Office identifies the needy families, many of whom are grandparents raising children on a fixed income, and the school coordinates what food to bring.

"We do a multitude of service projects," Mr. Bires said. "It's nice to help in the season of giving."

For a school that strives daily to teach boys to “Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever,” giving back through service to others during this holiday season is a most fitting way to put these values into practice.

To see more photos of McCallie students loading Thanksgiving meals to help the Salvation Army, please see out online photo gallery of this service project and more McCallie School events at photos.mccallie.org.

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McCallie School

McCallie is an All-Boys Private Boarding School and Day School, a Christian-based College Prep School.McCallie seeks out and accepts boys from all ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds and places a high value on a diverse student body.